Moses belongs in the MS Sports Hall of Fame

It’s a place he’s very familiar with. Moses first played for the Boston Red Sox in 1965 at age 18, and his first hit was a home run.

Moses was one of 17 members of the 1967 Boston Red Sox team honored at Fenway Park this month during a a 50th anniversary observance of their "Impossible Dream" pennant-winning season. Moses and his teammates were recognized prior to a game where the Red Sox faced the Cardinals.

Moses played for the Red Sox for four years and represented Boston in the 1970 All-Star Game.

In 1971 Moses was traded to the Angels, and he also spent time playing for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox .before an injury hindered his ability to play.

Moses was perhaps always with the Red Sox at heart. That’s where he spent most of his playing career, and he continued to live in the Boston area after retiring from baseball and started a food service business. Many Red Sox fans still have fond memories of Jerry Moses.

Folks around Yazoo old enough to remember still talk about what a great athlete Jerry Moses was as a young man. His baseball skills were legendary, and he was an equally talented football player. Moses was named a High School All-American as Yazoo City High’s quarterback.

Moses had college scholarship offers to play football, including offers from Ole Miss and Alabama, but opted to play professional baseball instead.

It was great to see a local legend honored by the Red Sox, and I hope that Mississippi will also see fit to recognize his accomplishments.

Moses is still not a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Considering his accomplishments, it seems appropriate to me for Jerry Moses to be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

His career speaks for itself, and I think it’s inevitable that Moses will eventually take his place among our state’s top athletes in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, but I hope that the committee responsible for making those selections will have a sense of urgency.

Moses’ health has deteriorated in recent years, and his family fears that he may not have much time left to accept this honor – or at least be healthy enough to fully participate.

He has cleared the first step by being nominated, but the committee picks a limited number of inductees each year. There are certainly many deserving candidates and no one wants to take anything away from their accomplishments, but I do hope that Moses is included this year.

I’m not alone.

Many, including former Gov. Haley Barbour, have written letters on Moses’ behalf. A group called “Fans for Gerald “Jerry” Moses for the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on Facebook has over 500 followers.

The group is encouraging anyone interested in helping the cause to write a letter of support of Moses to: MS Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, P. O. Box 16021, Jackson, MS 39236.

You may also send an email through the museum’s website at www.msfame.com.